CINCINNATI.- Today, the Cincinnati Art Museum will unveil a rarely seen 1950 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta from a local private collection, kicking off the new quarterly showing of an individual classic car or concept car. Supporting the Art Museum’s renewed commitment to showcase art and design across multiple disciplines, classic and concept cars will introduce visitors to industrial design and its place in the history of art.

“The shapes, lines and colors of automobiles are no less important than the treasured paintings visitors are accustomed to seeing,” said Aaron Betsky, director of the Cincinnati Art Museum. “The exquisite craftsmanship seen in industrial design can introduce visitors to new ways of understanding art.”

The Ferrari 166MM Barchetta, serial number 0050M, is one of only 26 created and is currently part of a private collection owned by Cincinnati resident, Tom Stegman. Designed and built as a race car, the Barchetta is known for its elegance, sophistication and performance. The Barchetta, translated as “little boat” in Italian, is characterized by its rounded shape, miniature size and open cockpit. Its body type, known as Superleggera, meaning “super light,” features a network of thin metal tubes which were then covered with panels of lightweight aluminum.

“The sleek inward sloping shell of the Barchetta was completely pounded out and shaped by hand,” said Anita Ellis, deputy director of curatorial affairs. “Visitors will get a close up view of these hand-crafted details that have made their mark within art and design.”

Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni was the body designer for the Barchetta, and Carrozzeria Touring was the body manufacturer. This 166MM Barchetta is on loan from the Tom and Dee Stegman Collection.

Ferrari’s history began in 1947 when founder Enzo Ferrari released his first car, which laid the foundation for the fame that would later bear his name. As a token of good luck, Ferrari adopted the Prancing Horse emblem from an Italian war hero, which would soon become a recognized symbol among the industry.

By the early 1960s, Ferrari secured a place within the car and design industry through the creation of its sports cars, which were known for their superior style. Ferrari continued to remain at the forefront of engine and body design during the late 1960s as competition grew among companies.

Ferrari’s place in the history of industrial design is also attributed to the work of its design houses such as Pininfarina, a car design firm in Turin, Italy – also employed by Maserati, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo and Lancia. Other design houses that have worked for Ferrari over the years include Scaglietti, Bertone, Carrozerria Touring, Ghia and Vignale.

With headquarters in Maranello, Italy, Ferrari continues to be one of the most desirable automobiles to own and drive, and its cars are viewed as one of the ultimate status symbols of wealth around in the world.